Attorney Kevin E. Houchin makes companies aware of the ways companies can get themselves into trouble using social media.

• Defamation: damaging someone’s reputation.
• Privacy: disclosing someone else’s secrets.
• Interference with Business Relations.
• Negligence: being a dork and harming someone.
• Contract: ending up in an enforceable agreement.
• Trademark: confusing consumers about a brand.
• Copyright: sharing something that’s not yours.

As daunting as these scenarios may sound, if you’re contemplating implementing social media into your firm’s marketing strategy, don’t hesitate doing so. You don’t have to have compliance review every post, prior to it being published. Before you start blogging, take the time to detail the guidelines for employee social media content creation, and train your staff effectively.

Your firm is going to be included in online conversations, whether you actively participate or not. Doesn’t it make sense for your company to be the primary source of information and communication?

If representatives of your blog team, work with legal, any glitches that arise can and will be ironed out along the way.

Kevin E. Houchin is the principal of Houchin & Associates, P.C., a copyright, trademark, arts & entertainment, business development, and branding firm located in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Photo by darrenjsylvester

Tags: Kara Smith, Karasma Media, Legal Marketing Tips, Social Media